How to implement simple threading with a fixed number of worker threads

Question

I\'m looking for the simplest, most straightforward way to implement the following:

• The main program instantiates worker threads to do a task.
• Only

Answer 1

If you want to roll your own:

private static final int MAX_WORKERS = n;
private List<Worker> workers = new ArrayList<Worker>(MAX_WORKERS);

private boolean roomLeft() {
    synchronized (workers) {
        return (workers.size() < MAX_WORKERS);
    }
}

private void addWorker() {
    synchronized (workers) {
        workers.add(new Worker(this));
    }
}

public void removeWorker(Worker worker) {
    synchronized (workers) {
        workers.remove(worker);
    }
}

public Example() {
    while (true) {
        if (roomLeft()) {
            addWorker();
        } 
    }
}

Where Worker is your class that extends Thread. Each worker will call this class's removeWorker method, passing itself in as a parameter, when it's finished doing it's thing.

With that said, the Executor framework looks a lot better.

Edit: Anyone care to explain why this is so bad, instead of just downmodding it?